After instructing the younger members of the family, William York stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the youths who had resumed their morning training, finally settling on Charles York in the corner of the martial arts arena. He couldn't help but sigh regretfully, his expression deeply sorrowful. If Charles York hadn't been ambushed, his cultivation might already have surpassed his own, becoming the number one genius among the younger generation of the family, and in the future, he could have shouldered the responsibility of protecting the family. Unfortunately, fate is often unkind to the talented.

In fact, William York was quite fond of Charles York's character. Although he had been a bit impetuous in previous years, over the past three years, he had become much more steady. If not for his meridians being completely severed, he would surely have achieved great things in the future. But fate is always unpredictable.

After a moment of silence, William York walked toward Charles York.

Chapter 2: The Broken-Continuity Pill?

“Chen’er, if you’re tired, go back and rest early. If you really can’t force it, don’t try to circulate your inner energy. Taking care of your body is most important.” William York said. In his view, with the meridians completely severed, there was no hope of recovery—unless a Broken-Continuity Pill could be found to heal Charles York's injuries. But the pill was so precious that even if the entire Ye family’s fortune was spent, they still wouldn’t be able to buy one.

“Third Uncle, I don’t believe I’ll be a cripple for the rest of my life. I think my meridians can definitely recover.” Charles York said firmly.

Hearing Charles York's words, William York paused, a wave of pain rising in his heart. He patted Charles York's head and forced a smile, saying, “Good child, whether your meridians are severed or not, your third uncle and the whole Ye family will always be your solid support.”

“Mm.” Charles York nodded. Over the past three years, although his meridians were severed, only a few clan members had mocked him. The others treated him very well, even going so far as to use the strength of the entire clan and countless medicinal pills to help nurture his meridians, hoping to one day find a Broken-Continuity Pill to reconnect them.

“When you have time, go visit your father more often,” William York sighed.

Thinking of his father, Charles York's heart ached slightly. Over the past three years, in order to treat Charles York, his father had endured tremendous pressure, his hair turning much whiter, as if he had aged more than ten years. Charles York felt deeply guilty toward his father.

“I will.”

William York returned to continue instructing the other youths in martial arts, while Charles York sat cross-legged on a rock, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Lost in thought, a crisp voice suddenly sounded in Charles York's ear, pulling him back to reality.

“Charles York gege, what are you thinking about?” The voice carried a hint of playfulness.

Charles York turned his head, and a beautiful, ethereal face appeared before his eyes. It was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, smiling sweetly at Charles York. She wore a light purple dress, her features delicate, her eyes as clear as a pool of water, her beauty refined, her skin like jade, as if she were a wisp of pure, crystalline snow. A faint, fresh fragrance wafted from the girl, making one feel refreshed and at ease.

Seeing the girl before him, a gentle affection rose in Charles York's heart. “What brings you here?”

“Doesn’t Charles York gege welcome me?” The girl smiled charmingly.

“I never said that. It’s just rare to see you at the martial arts arena.” Charles York couldn’t help but smile. Charlie was the only person with whom he could speak freely, without any barriers. Whether Charlie’s surname was Ye, or whether Charlie was her real name or a nickname, no one in Ye Fortress knew, nor did anyone know who Ye Charles’s parents were. It was said that Ye Charles had been fostered at Ye Fortress by someone else. When she was young, because she was an orphan and not a member of the Ye clan, she was often bullied by other children her age. At that time, Charles York was already very mature and would often protect Ye Charles, treating her like his own little sister. Since then, Ye Charles had stuck closely to Charles York.

As the years passed and those children grew up, Ye Charles transformed from an awkward little girl into a great beauty. Those who had bullied her in the past were now full of regret, but no matter what they did, they could not change the impression they had left in Ye Charles’s heart.

Ye Charles kept a certain distance from the other family youths and rarely came to crowded places like the martial arts arena. Only when facing Charles York would she let down her guard. Although Charles York’s meridians were severed, her relationship with him had only grown closer.

From a distance, the other family youths saw Charles York and Ye Charles standing together and all showed looks of jealousy. Every time they tried to strike up a conversation with Ye Charles, she would smile kindly, but if they tried to talk further, her elegant and aloof demeanor would always make them feel she was unapproachable. The rare playful smile Ye Charles showed now made their hearts skip a beat. Even the legendary beauties paled in comparison, and everyone felt as if they were in a dream.

“In the blink of an eye, it’s already been three years,” Ye Charles said softly, a hint of indescribable sadness in her voice. Her gaze fell on Charles York’s face—the once high-spirited youth had been worn down by time and hardship. During this time, Ye Charles had tried countless ways to help Charles York restore his meridians, but all had failed.

“Yes, it’s already been three years.” Charles York revealed a self-mocking, bitter smile. No one knew what he had gone through during these three years.

“Charles York gege, don’t give up on yourself. Even with your meridians severed, there’s still hope. At least your uncles are all trying to find a way. They’ll find a method to restore your damaged meridians.” Charlie comforted Charles York.